+ Important: There are specific requirements your app must meet in order to + qualify as an Android TV app on Google Play. For more information, see the requirements listed + in Publishing TV Apps. +
The two main things to keep in mind when developing games for the TV screen are its nature as a shared display and the need to design your game for a landscape orientation.
Games are displayed in a separate row from regular apps in the launcher. Android TV uses the
-android:isGame flag to differentiate games from non-game apps. You can assign it a
-value of either true or false. For example:
<application> - ... -< android:isGame=["true" | "false"] > - ... -</application>+ +
+ Games are displayed in a separate row from regular apps in the launcher. Android TV uses the
+ android:isGame attribute to differentiate games from non-game apps. Set this value
+ to true in your game's app manifest, as shown in the following code example:
+
+<application> + ... + < meta-data android:name="isGame" android:value="true" > + ... +</application> ++ + +
+ Games controllers may not be available or active for users of a TV device. In order to properly + inform users that your game requires (or just supports) a game controller, you must include + entries in the app manifest. If your game requires a game controller, you must include the + following entry in your app manifest: +
+ ++ <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.gamepad"/> ++ +
+ If your game uses, but does not require, a game controller, include the following feature + entry in your app manifest: +
+ ++ <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.gamepad" android:required="false"/> ++ +
For more information about manifest entries, see + App Manifest. +
+If your game integrates Google Play Game Services, you should keep in mind a number of diff --git a/docs/html/preview/tv/publish/index.jd b/docs/html/preview/tv/publish/index.jd new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000..f834493f0725a --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/html/preview/tv/publish/index.jd @@ -0,0 +1,205 @@ +page.title=Publishing TV Apps +page.tags="requirements","usability" + +@jd:body + +
+ Apps for TV devices can be published like other Android apps. You must prepare your app for + release and then you can publish it through Google Play. In order for your app to be + accepted as a TV app in Google Play, it must meet some additional requirements, which are covered + in this document. +
+ ++ Note: You will not be able to publish apps to TV devices through Google Play until Android L SDK is released. +
+ + ++ Your app must provide specific manifest declarations and meet some minimum usability requirements + before it can qualify as TV app on Google Play. Make sure your app meets these requirements to + get your app ready for TV devices. +
+ ++ Caution: Your app must meet all of the requirements described in this section in + order to qualify as a TV app on Google Play. If your app does not meet the usability requirements + described below, the Google Play team will contact you through the email address specified in main + Google Play Developer Console account + associated with the app. +
+ ++ Developers who want their apps to be considered for publishing on TV devices must + include a manifest entry that declares an activity which handles the {@code + android.intent.category.LEANBACK_LAUNCHER} intent filter. For more information about including + the required manifest entries, see Get Started with TV Apps. +
+ ++ Caution: If you do not include the required manifest entries for TV devices, + your app is not considered as a TV app. The app will not be reviewed for the TV app usability + requirements and will not be able to qualify as a TV app on Google Play. +
+ + ++ Users bring a different set of expectations when watching TV. Apps for Android TV devices have a + different interaction, look and feel from Android apps on the phone or tablet. How users interact + with TVs (with a remote control device) and how they view them (sitting about 10 feet away), + significantly changes the requirements for what makes a good user experience in an app. +
+ ++ The first step toward creating a great experience for users on TV is to review and follow the + Design for TV guidelines. These guidelines + provide general directions for designing a TV app as well as some specific implementation + instructions. +
+ ++ Apps for TV devices must meet some specific requirements for usability. Only apps that meet the + following usability criteria will qualify as an TV app on Google Play: +
+ ++ After I submit my app, how will find out if my app does not meet all the requirements for + TV devices? +
++ If your app does not meet the usability requirements described on this page, the Play Store team + will contact you through the email address specified in main Google Play Developer Console account associated with + the app. +
++ Caution: Make sure your app includes the required manifest entries for TV devices, + otherwise your app will not be considered a TV app and will not be reviewed for TV usability + requirements. +
+ + ++ My app targets more than just TV devices. If my app does not meet the TV device + requirements, will my new or updated app still appear on Google Play for phones and + tablets? +
++ Yes. The requirements described above only restrict distribution to the Google Play Store on TV + devices. Distribution to other device types, such as phones, tablets and other devices, is not + affected. +
+ + ++ If my app meets the publishing requirements, when will it be available in the Google + Play Store on TV devices? +
+ ++ Apps that meet the requirements for TV will appear in the Google Play Store on TV devices + after the official release of Android L. +
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/docs/html/preview/tv/start/index.jd b/docs/html/preview/tv/start/index.jd index 5af28a60143f8..8081995ec825a 100644 --- a/docs/html/preview/tv/start/index.jd +++ b/docs/html/preview/tv/start/index.jd @@ -24,6 +24,12 @@ page.tags="leanback","recyclerview","launcher"This guide describes how to prepare your development environment and projects for building TV apps, including updating your existing app to run on TV devices.
++ Important: There are specific requirements your app must meet in order to + qualify as an Android TV app on Google Play. For more information, see the requirements listed + in Publishing TV Apps. +
+